A WOMAN was rescued from a first floor window as fire spread through her home around her.

Sharon Haslam was asleep in the upstairs bedroom of the family’s converted bungalow on Westdown Road, Kinson, when the fire took hold on Friday evening.

After a passer-by raised the alarm, five fire crews were scrambled to the scene where they battled against the flames to reach the 47-year-old using an extension ladder.

Brad Stevens, watch manager at Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “At 10.40pm we were called to a property in Kinson where we were met with severe fire in the ground floor conservatory which was spreading through to the roof of the property.

“One adult female was rescued from the first floor window and was handed over to the ambulance service for treatment.”

The mother-of–three, who was alone in the home, was taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Her husband Mark said he was expecting her to be released yesterday evening.
“She’s shaken up but she is on the mend,” he said.

Mr Haslam and the couple’s three daughters, who are aged 24, 23 and 18, were away from the property when the fire started.

He said: “Our two eldest daughters were out, one was at her boyfriend’s house and one was at work, and I was at my mum’s with our youngest daughter Ellie.

“Ellie’s disabled so it’s lucky I took her with me,” he added.

The family, who first moved into the bungalow in 1999, are staying in a holiday park while the house is assessed.

Mr Haslam said: “The fire was just the beginning.

“Now we have to start from scratch and try to put everything back together.”

The 49-year-old thanked his neighbours, friends and family for their support following the blaze and praised the emergency services.

He said: “They were great. They got here quickly and they got her out nice and safe. You couldn’t ask for more.”